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purpose

pur·pose

UK/ˈpɜːpəs/ US/ˈpɝpəs/ common
noun (3) verb (2)

noun

1.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

  • “his intent was to provide a new translation”
  • “good intentions are not enough”
  • “it was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs”
  • “he made no secret of his designs”
Synonyms
2.

what something is used for

  • “the function of an auger is to bore holes”
  • “ballet is beautiful but what use is it?”
Synonyms
3.

the quality of being determined to do or achieve something

  • “his determination showed in his every movement”
  • “he is a man of purpose”
Synonyms

verb

1.

propose or intend

  • “I aim to arrive at noon”
Synonyms
2.

reach a decision

  • “he resolved never to drink again”
Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English purpos, from Old French purposer (“to propose”) (with conjugation altered based on poser), from Latin prō- (“forth”) + pōnere (“place, put”), hence Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere. By surface analysis, pur- + pose (“halt, pause, put, place”).

Phrases

  • all-purpose flour
  • cross purpose
  • dative of purpose
  • defeat the purpose
  • fit for purpose
  • for all intents and purposes
  • game with a purpose
  • infinitive of purpose
  • on purpose

Related words

Word family

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.